nt to puke!"

Miku said it as if she was vomiting.

"That goes for females too! I don't need any other girls other than cute girls that would listen to me! All the other humans should just die!"

"........uh."

Shidou gasped when he heard Miku shout.

It was true that he understood Miku's suffering. It was probably tough to lose her precious voice.

But-----

"That's.....wrong! I do pity your circumstances......! That Producer and article writer gets on my nerve! Those fans that took a 180 flip piss me off! But, that doesn't mean that you should hate other humans like them too!"

"What......! Please shut up! All males are the same!"

"Iiyaaa, Let me tell you this! Is it really true that there is not even one person that wants to hear your singing in the first place!? Isn't there anyone that did not get fooled by the scandal and looked forward to your singing!?"

"Such a person-----!"

At that moment, several footsteps came from the corridor in front. Immediately, several Wizards with pistols appeared.

"There they are! It's the infiltrators!"

"Be careful! One of them is a Spirit!"

"........uh"

Shidou gasped and prepared <Sandalphon> in his hands.

It seemed Kotori's flames had healed Shidou's body to the point where Shidou could swing the sword. Although there was still pain left, it was not that serious to make him fall.

But, even though the enemy was in front of Shidou, he still looked at Miku.

They had to defeat the Wizards now. But, this was the first time Miku would talk about her past. If he let this chance go, he felt that she won't bring this up again.

The Wizards fired all at once. But, all of it was bounced back from the wall of voice Miku made.

Shidou shouted while taking the chance to swing his sword.

"Miku-------you made up illusions of scary humans inside you! That feeling increased because everyone listens to your [Voice] so-----you became unnecessarily scared to talk with real people!"

When Shidou said that, Miku [Haa!?] let out a voice as if she heard something unbelievable.

"Scared......!? That's not a good way to put it, are you saying I am scared of humans!? Forget that, we are fighting right now! Stop with the unnecessary--------Aaaaaaaaaaah!"

Bullets shot from the Wizards approached them when Miku was in the middle of her words. After Miku raised her voice at Shidou, she made a wall of voice again to block.

"That isn't related! I'll say this as many times as I want! You've been surrounded by people who always agree with you and that's making you scared to have a conversation with a normal person! But-----even though you reject humans that much, somewhere in your heart, you still feel the urge to have a normal talk with them!"

"How random......! Just what do you know!"

Miku raised her voice and Shidou swung <Sandalphon>.

Both of them quarreled with loud voices and advanced down the corridor while sometimes kicking down the Wizards that appeared.

"I know! That's the reason why you wanted the human that can't be controlled by your [Voice]---[Itsuka Shiori] right!?"

"........uh!"

Miku gasped and distorted her expression.

Yes. While Miku said that she didn't want any humans that do not listen to her, she displayed some kind of weird attachment to Shiori.

"Som-something like that----"

"Also, when you started your debut again after getting that [Voice], you did not use [Yoimachi Tsukino] or any kinds of nickname and used your real name [Izayoi Miku] right!? You......Doesn't that mean you want someone to find out!? That you are here! You wanted to be acknowledged right!? By none other than those humans........!"

Miku‘s face*Ugugu*.......turned red and made a hysteric voice while advancing down the corridor.

"SHUT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP! Quiet! Quietttttttt! Don't talk like you know! Stupid! Idiot! Blockkheaaaad!"

It turned to insults halfway in her sentence. But, it seemed her voice had dense Maryoku put into it. An invisible wall was pushed towards the Wizards that appeared in front and got blown backwards.

"Yo-youu....! Just because I hit the bulls-eye....."

"You did not get any bulls-eye! You're wrong! You're just an idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!!"

"Aaaaaah forget it....! Like I thought, I can't leave Yoshino, Kaguya and Yuzuru to you! I will definitely seal your Reiryoku, you bastard.......!"

After Shidou shouted that, Miku twitched her shoulders.

"I won't.......I won't let you do that! If you seal this [Voice] then, again, I will------"

Miku clenched her teeth before continuing her words.

"Are you....are you telling me to go back to that again!? To the time when I couldn't sing.....to the time when I was worthless.....!"

"I did not say that!"

After he shouted, he swung <Sandalphon> again. The sword slash turned into light and cut up the Wizards Territory.

"I...I just want you to sing with your real voice, without covering it with the power to deceive others, that's all!"

That was his true feelings. Miku's singing voice that people used to hear at the Izayoi residence. She was so earnest and was brimming with a charm different from the current Miku.

But, Miku distorted her face in detest.

"Please don't talk like you know....! If I have this [Voice], I can be the best Idol! Just who would listen to my singing once I lose this [Voice]!!"

"You got me------here......!"

Miku's whole body slightly twitched when Shidou shouted.

"W-what.....don't spout randomly! You have not even heard me sing before anyway!"

"I heard! It's just one song though! Its earnest, filled with hard-work and cool! I like it more than your songs now! No one would hear you sing.....? Hah, don't be stupid. -----at the very least, you will have one devoted fan no matter what happens! And that would be me!"

"Wha......"

"Your Reiryoku does not matter..........even if you lose that [Voice], it's impossible that you will become worthless.....!"

"........uh!!"

Miku made a face close to crying------however, she immediately swung her head to regain her composure.

"Those.....those words----I won't believe them! All the fans that said them did not believe me! When I was having a rough time........no one extended their hands to me!"

"I don't think so! There has to be a fan believing and waiting for you! But-------if what you say really is true then! At that time I will! I will definitely extend my hands to you!"

"Don't say things that convenient....! Then what, will you risk your life to save me if i was in a tight situation like Tohka-san!?"

Miku pointed at Shidou and shouted. Most likely------she was trying to see Shidou to be at loss for an answer.

But, Shidou shook his throat instantly without any hesitation.

"Of course!"

"...........!"

Miku stopped for a moment when she heard Shidou's words.

But, she immediately distorted her face unpleasantly and followed after Shidou.

"I won't believe you! It's going to be a lie anyway.....! It's definitely a lie!"

"Why you-----"

At that moment, one Wizard appeared in front of them when they climbed the stairs and reached the next level. It was a large male. Different from the Wizards until now, he was carrying a giant Gatling gun which was clearly not meant for indoor battle.

"Stop! It looks like you two were doing whatever you liked but, that ends here! From here on out, the building's guardian entrusted by executive chief Mathers- Andrew Kersee Dunstan Francis Barbirolli will----"

""Shut up!""

Right in the middle of his speech, Shidou and Miku shouted at the same time. The Gatling gun dented due to the strong voice and his Territory got split into half by a slash from <Sandalphon>.

"Guhah.......!"

Andrew so-and-so let out that cry as he fainted on the spot. Miku then continued talking in a manner as if she was kicking a rock at the roadside.

"In the first place, why must I even help you! Please know your limits!"

"Noo, you're the one that said you would help me!"

"Fuuun, I don't know that!"

Miku *Tsuuun* looked away. Shidou twitched his cheeks.

"Why you....!"

But, at that moment. Shidou noticed the floor was different from the others.

There was a stretch of tough looking wall and there was not even a single window nearby. It's like-----yes, a quarantine facility.

"Is this....the place?"

He frowned his eyebrows and looked in front.

A strong looking door was installed on a part of the long stretching wall.

"Kuh......."

The situation was not favorable.

Ellen and Jessica, both had received Maryoku treatment. Mana was probably taking on two of the most powerful opponents in DEM. If she wasn't in <Vánargandr>, she would probably have been done for a long time ago.

While flying in the sky with high speed to dodge the group of approaching micro-missiles, Mana used her Territory to confirm both of their positions. Behind was----Jessica. But, Ellen's readings could not be detected.

In the next moment, a different Territory touched Mana's Territory. Mana quickly responded to it and swung her right arm's laser blade.

When she did that, Ellen's laser edge was swung down at that position and violent sparks scattered.

"Uguh.....!"

"Magnificent response. But, do you think you would win in a power fight?"

After saying that, Ellen swung the laser blade with incredible speed.

She can't follow with her body vision. Mana concentrated all her nerves to increase the Territory's density and responded by swinging her laser edge to the area getting slashed.

But, there was not only one opponent. When Mana was dealing with Ellen's early-summer rain of slashes, a large amount of Missiles was released from <Licorice>'s weapon container-<Root Box> and was shot at Mana's back.

Instantly, a part of the missiles exploded before reaching Mana. Most likely, <Fraxinus> supported her using the <Yggd Folium>. But, the amount was too much. Several missiles escaped the chain explosion and exploded behind Mana.

"Kuah......!"

"Kyahahahaha! Hitttttt! You caaaan't do thaaat, you muuust be careful of your baccckkk!"

Jessica's unpleasant loud laugh shook her eardrums.

Even though she had a Territory up, all of its energy was directed towards Ellen. She could not kill off all of the missiles impact. Her brain was shaken mercilessly and she was close to fainting.

But, after managing to maintain her consciousness by clenching her teeth, Mana made an order in her mind to activate the thrusters and left from the place. She had to regain her posture for now.

However. Right when Mana flew backwards, her path of escape got obstructed by an invisible wall.

"Wha.......!"

Mana opened her eyes wide------and immediately knew its identity. It was a limited Territory generated by <Licorice>. A <Licorice> type is able to generate a Territory towards someone else other than its user space.

"You're na?ve you knowwww? This is the end, MaNaaaaa!"

Jessica made a gruesome face and laughed.

"Why you....looking down on me!"

Mana made an order in her mind and blasted off Jessica's Territory.

But, Ellen did not let that chance go. For a moment, Ellen made an unsatisfied face because her match got disturbed, but she shook her head to regain her composure and swung down the laser blade <Caledfwlch>.

"Guh--------!"

It was not a distance where she could dodge. Mana switched her Territory to defense mode and stiffened her body in preparation for the incoming impact.

But----at that moment.

"Wha........"

After Ellen distorted her eyebrows dubiously, a shot from a laser cannon was targeted at Ellen from the right side.

Ellen used the laser blade she swung up to hit down the Maryoku light. Mana took this chance to blast off Jessica's Territory and backed off.

"That was-----"

For a moment there, Mana thought <Fraxinus> provided support but----she was mistaken.

When she looked over to the direction where the attack came from, she saw a doll-like girl with hair set to reach her shoulders floating there.

"Ma-Master sergeant Tobiichi!?"

Mana shouted in reflex.

Yes. The outsider that suddenly came rushing at Ellen to hit her was Mana's old colleague-----Tobiichi Origami.

"You okay?"

However. Mana felt a little weird at Origami's appearance. Origami was wearing a wiring suit and a CR-unit, but the suit's design was different from the usual basic AST standards.

The navy colored wiring suit had a big slit opened at her chest and she had several equipment that had no sense of unity. It's as if she forcefully gathered them because she was in haste.

"Tobiichi Origami........? You should be having medical treatment now. And that equipment, that's not AST's----"

Ellen frowned her eyebrows dubiously and mumbled softly. However, Origami did not reply and looked at Mana.

"----Where is Shidou?"

"Eh? Nii-sama.......huh. Yes, he is safe."

After Mana said that, Origami's mouth slightly relaxed.

"Where is he now?"

"Errr, at the first building."

"I see"

After Origami made a small nod, she activated the thrusters and flew towards the 1st building.

But, Ellen flew in the sky with tremendous speed to catch Origami.

"Did you think I would let you go?"

"......I will force through."

Origami exchanged glances with Ellen and their Territory clashed. Maryoku sparks scattered around.

"Master Sergeant Tobiichi!"

After Mana shouted, she made an order in her mind to support Origami.

The difference in power was clear already. On top of that, Origami should still be damaged from yesterday's battle. It was the same as watching her get killed.

However, just when Mana was about to fly to Origami, a high powered Maryoku cannon was shot and it blocked her path.----There was no need to think who it was. It was Jessica.

"Where are you GoInG? Your opponent is me RighTtttTTttT?"

"Why you....!"

Mana distorted her face and wriggled her right hand's laser edge.

Origami switched her posture mid-air. Maybe it's because it was a unit she was unfamiliar with, the movements were still unstable; Unfortunately it couldn't be helped. She extended her hands to her back and took the laser cannon equipped behind her before pointing it forwards from below her left side.

The wiring suit Origami was wearing right now, didn't belong to AST.

<<Special Sorcery ServiceSSS>>--------it was the official equipment used by the United Kingdom's anti-Spirit team.

On top of that, she had an equipment set consisting of a big mouth laser cannon, an Assault Rifle set with Anti-Spirit bullets, a Gatling gun, and several types of close combat equipment.

This was the [Method] Mikie talked about.

It was a CR-unit with no ID management, which was hidden under an empty apartment.

This was something concealed by a terrorist group formed by old SSS members, who performed an assault at AST a few months ago.

All the main equipment was retrieved but-----it seemed Mikie found one spare hidden in a hide-out she found.

"......uh."

Origami fixed her posture mid-air gracefully and looked at her enemy.

When she did that, the enemy flicked her beautiful blonde hair elegantly.

"-----Tobiichi Origami. I never would have thought that you would appear."

Origami remembered the face of the girl that said that. If she was correct, it was the cameraman that accompanied them to their school trip.

Now that she thought about it, there were several suspicious points during the school trip. Just when she was about to change her route-----a DEM mechanical doll appeared in front of Origami.

That's why, even though she saw Ellen Mathers attacking Mana, her understanding was stronger than her surprise.

"I heard that you used <Licorice> in a battle with Bayley and exceeded its activation limit causing you to lose your combat capabilities. Even though you were treated with a Medical Realizer, you should be in a condition where you should stay still. I will tell you this in my concern for you; you will die if you force yourself."

"That does not matter."

"Is that so?"

The wiring suit different from the one she was familiar with was probably hidden away from the army and it was joined with previous generation weapons which were not maintained properly. That was all the cards inside Origami's hand.

But----she could fight. No matter how hopeless the difference in strength was, she was able to point her blade at the enemy.

The opponent was a DEM wizard with the latest equipment. Origami might die here. Even though she might survive if she was lucky, she might not be able to fight any more in her life.

However, even if she turned out that way, she still had to save Shidou. Just for that reason, she didn't mind to rely on any coincidence, any kind of trick or any kind of surprise move to achieve it......!

In addition to that, the Maryoku value of Ellen's strong Territory was increasing. She was probably preparing for battle.

Nonetheless, Origami did not need to see its value. Judging by the feeling of the Territory when they clashed, she could somewhat estimate Ellen's strength.

She was stronger than Mana, who was overwhelming during her mock battle with Origami and the other AST. She had never touched such a dense Territory in her life before. If she carelessly get to a close distance, Origami's body will definitely get stopped.

"........!"

She made a quick move right after she made an order in her mind. Origami took the Anti-Spirit Rifle in her right hand while she took the Gatling gun on her left hand before pulling the laser cannon's trigger with her Territory and used an all-out attack on Ellen.

Her ammo was limited. Forget that, the Gatling gun in her left hand was not one of her original equipment; it was picked up beside a <Bandersnatch> filled with holes when she was heading here.

But, as long as there was no chance to win in close-combat, she had no other choice but to continue attacking from a distance. She restrained the recoil with her Territory while focusing the bullets covered with Maryoku at one point.

Not long later, the rain of bullets stopped. Of course, it was not Origami's will to do so. It was simply because she ran out of ammo.

However, after the wind blew away the film of smoke, Ellen was floating there calmly in a undamaged CR-unit.

"Did you seriously think that would work? It seems I am being underestimated."

*Yare Yare* after sighing in a tired manner, Ellen pointed the laser blade she was holding, at Origami.

But, at that moment, Ellen twitched her eyebrows.

The wall of a building filled with holes because of Origami's attack collapsed and was falling right at Ellen.

Yes. She did not think that the attack just now would work on Ellen from the start. Origami made Ellen focus on herself while she hollowed out the wall behind Ellen.

"Fuun----"

But, Ellen did not move at all and stopped the approaching giant debris right before it reached her head.

Nevertheless, that was also within her expectations. After Origami released the connection of the Assault rifle in her hands, she filled the body of the rifle with Maryoku and threw it towards Ellen with full strength.

Of course, it was blocked and stopped right by the Territory before it reached Ellen's body. However, an explosion blasted out from the back part of the assault rifle.

"Wha----This is....!"

Ellen frowned her face and covered her mouth with her hand.

Origami attached a grenade on the rifle beforehand and set it so that the pin would be pulled out at the same time it passed through her Territory.

Nevertheless, it was not like the gas had poisonous properties. It was a teargas used to subjugate riots. The worst possible symptoms it could cause would be causing itchiness for the eyes and nose.

But, Ellen didn't know that. As long as there was a chance that she might inhale a poisonous gas, Ellen either had to use her Territory to neutralize its composition or shut out the gas by re-surrounding herself with her Territory.

"Now-----"

Next off, Origami took a stun grenade from her hips and threw it at Ellen. A strong light and sound was spread to the surroundings.

She then made an order in her mind in a flash and converted the micro missiles equipped behind her before shooting every one of them at Ellen.

The Basic Realizer installed on the wiring suit was the part maintaining the Territory. And the part used to control it was none other than the human brain.

Right now in Ellen's mind, she should be multi-processing thoughts such as blocking the debris, neutralizing the gas, and blocking against the sound and light. On top of that, she was being showered with flaming micro-missiles which had Maryoku processed in it. A normal wizard would cause a mistake on one of the processing because the brain might be overheating and would accidentally release the Territory for an instant.

However.

"-----You've put some thought into it huh."

".........!?"

Origami heard that voice from behind and gasped.

But----it was too late. The same time when she quickly turned back, Origami's neck was grabbed. The operation of her Territory levitating her body weakened and gravity pulled her body down.

"Guh......."

"Not dealing with the Territory itself but rather to cause chaos to the brain generating it......huh. I see. It's not a beautiful way but, it's effective."

After saying that, Ellen, who appeared behind Origami, strengthened the hand grabbing onto her neck.

"How sad. If the opponent wasn't me, then it would have been your win. But------how regretful. That isn't the method to use against the world's strongest Wizard."

After Ellen said that, she raised the side of her lips and smiled.

15000 meter above DEM Japan branch. Right now an extreme battle in the office city was shown on the main monitor of <Fraxinus> bridge.

"A Wizard is approaching Mana from behind! It's at 1'o clock!"

"------Make <Ygdd Folium> No.3 and 4 head there"

"Understood. <Ygdd Folium> No.3 and 4 finished setting to Mine mode."

The same time a crew voice echoed, a small explosion occurred in the sky of the city of buildings shown on the main monitor.

"-----intercept confirmed. Target Territory erased."

No one probably noticed since it was slipped in the battle's blast and noise but, the group sent all of their automated unit-<Yggd Folium> to the ground to support Mana.

As long as their communications can't connect into the building, this was the only thing Kotori and the group could do. Even though Kotori was feeling impatient, she was performing her job with ease.

"Co-commander! Look at that!"

A voice was raised by a crew member. After Kotori looked at the monitor, the situation of the war zone was shown.

There were 2 girls floating in the sky. No-----a correct way to say it would be; a blonde girl in white armor was strangling a girl covered in a navy blue suit while being suspended in mid-air.

"That's......"

Kotori raised her eyebrows dubiously.

"Ellen Mathers is fighting Tobiichi Origami.....huh"

Kannazuki standing-by beside her put his hand on his chin and said that.

Yes. Although she was wearing unfamiliar equipment, the person being strangled right now was Shidou's classmate/ AST Wizard- Tobiichi Origami.

DEM and AST should be organizations working together. Actually, the AST joined the battle just now and they were working together with the DEM wizards to fight against the group of Kurumi.

But----she immediately recalled back.

Yesterday. In the sky of Tenguu square, an unknown AST group appeared to target the Spirit's and Origami used the Annihilation armor-<White Licorice> to prevent them from doing so.

Nonetheless, it was hard to think that the Spirit hater Origami would protect Tohka and the others. Most likely.......she moved to protect Shidou who was in the Tenguu Square.

"Don't tell me......."

Kotori looked at the monitor while erecting the rod of the Chupa Chups in her mouth.

The reason why Origami was fighting against the DEM wizard. There was only one plausible answer for that.

"-----Prepare the convergence Maryoku cannon <Mystletain>. We're going to support Tobiichi Origami."

"Is it okay?"

Kawague from the bottom bridge asked. Kotori glanced at him and made a small sigh.

"........it's a complex feeling though. Seeing her die is going to cause nightmares. Also-----no matter what reason it might be, I can't ignore someone that would try to save Shidou."

After saying that, she took out the candy from her mouth and pointed at the girl in the monitor.

"AR-008, parallel activate No.5 and 6. Start Maryoku charge. At the same time, point the 3rd muzzle downwards. Switch one part of the control to manual.----Target: Ellen Mathers."

After Kotori said that, Minowa raised her voice difficultly from the bottom bridge.

"However, commander. The target is in contact with Tobiichi Origami. Even if we lower the output, isn't there a chance we might drag her in too?"

It was a normal reason to worry. However, Kotori snorted before making a sigh.

"That's why I said this. Switch one part of the control to manual. ?----Kannazuki."

"Yes."

Kannazuki nodded when he heard Kotori's words.

"Prepare the headset. I'll leave the aim to you. You can do it right?"

"If it is by your orders, I could even shoot an apple riding on someone's head."

Without a moment of hesitation, Kannazuki bowed his head down. After the crew gulped, they started operating the console under Kotori's instructions.

"-----Well then. Originally, I would like to fight you but, sorry I am in a little hurry."

Ellen said it in a soft tone while strangling Origami. She then slowly raised the giant laser blade held by her right hand and pushed it onto Origami's cheeks.

"U......Kuh-----"

"Ike took an interest in you, so I don't really want to kill you but.......it seems you're quite smart and it's not desirable to ignore that"

After saying that, she switched on the sword's blade. While making a *Jyuuuu* sound, a sharp pain was felt on Origami's cheeks.

"Kuah....."

But that moment.

"------!?"

A sparkle like a glittering star appeared in the sky colored in darkness, and a tremendous torrent of light poured down.

"Wha......"

The light poured straight down as if it was going to suck in Ellen's head------and the moment it touched Ellen's Territory, Maryoku light sparked around.

That was... The super high energy Maryoku cannon blast was on a level impossible for an individual's equipment. Most likely, the pillar of light excelled even <White Licorice>'s <Blastark>.

"Thi-this......is....!?"

This was unexpected even for Ellen. Ellen looked painful for the first time. Maybe because she could not respond to such a sudden event, Origami could feel the power obstructing her Territory weaken.

".........!"

Origami took the chance to turn her body and escape from Ellen's restraints.

She poured her strength into her right foot and stretched the leg. A 10 centimeter blade showed itself from there.

She then generated Maryoku on the blade and swung it at Ellen.

"Hah, guh......!?"

Her feet felt a response and Ellen's anguish voice echoed.

In the next moment, Origami's leg was grabbed by an invisible hand and she was thrown towards the building's wall.

"......!"

She could not decelerate and slammed at the wall. Although she somewhat killed off some of the impact, it made her cough violently.

"*cough**cough*......"

"........now you've done it."

Having survived through the mysterious Maryoku cannon, Ellen frowned her eyebrows in detest while looking at Origami.

Her wiring suit was torn from her chest to her stomach and a painful wound was carved on her white skin. Maybe she managed to stop the blood with her Territory, but the blood that splashed out when she got the wound left a red bloodstain on her white armor.

Ellen pointed her sword at Origami.

"Even though an unnecessary interruption got in, you are the 2nd human to-->>

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